Wound treatment should begin by getting the bleeding under control and the wound cleaned. Maintaining the cleanliness of the injured site is important. Keeping the wound covered and the dressing clean and dry is also important. When medical attention is sought, orders should be explicitly followed. It also should not be forgotten that nutrition plays a role in treating wounds.
The type of wound, the severity, and its location will affect how it should be treated. There are some tips, however, that can be considered good wound treatment practices. To begin with, it is important to stop blood flow as soon as possible.
If a wound is bleeding, pressure should be applied to stop the blood flow. If the wound continues bleeding for an extended period of time, any attempts for home treatment should be abandoned and medical attention should be sought. Once the bleeding is under control, pressure should be avoided at the site of injury for the remainder of the healing process.
The next important tip for treating wounds is to thoroughly clean it as soon as possible. The wound should be kept clean throughout the healing process. This means your hands should always be clean when you are dealing with the injury.
Cover the wound and keep it covered. Just as it is important to keep the wound clean, it is important to keep its dressing clean. Bandages and other dressings should be changed regularly. Orders from a medical professional to change the covering a certain number of times per day should be explicitly followed. If the dressing becomes soiled or wet, it should be removed even if it is not time for a scheduled change.
Every possible measure should be taken to avoid infection. When a wound becomes infected, it will not only delay healing, but it can also create a bigger problem. If antibiotics are prescribed, they should be used as directed. If topical over-the-counter products are used for treating wounds, the products should be applied according to the directions and with clean implements. Injured individuals should also avoid picking at the injury, since this may lead to infection and scarring.
Nutrition is commonly overlooked when considering good practices for treating wounds. It is, however, very important because the body needs supplies to heal, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. Some medical professionals even suggest that individuals should supplement their diets during the healing period because when the body lacks adequate supplies, healing slows down and the risk of infection and other complications can drastically increase.
